Sept. 13 Q&A: Menchville's Holt sisters double the talent

Jack LambertCorrespondent

As a junior, Menchville setter Jordan Holt thought about giving up volleyball but couldn't do it, if for no other reason than to keep breakfast from becoming awkward.

Jordan couldn't quit because her twin sister, Melissa, an outside hitter who also plays travel volleyball with Coastal Virginia Volleyball Club, wanted her to play. And whether through begging or coercion, Melissa was able to persuade Jordan to remain on the team and help lead Menchville to its fourth consecutive district title last season.

Whether it is working at Water Country USA or looking to capture a fifth consecutive district title as seniors, the Holt sisters will do things like they have always done — together.

Question: At one time Jordan was thinking about quitting volleyball. What happened there?

Melissa: She's a soccer player and she wanted to run cross country instead in order to stay in shape for the soccer season. But she used to play travel volleyball with me, and Menchville didn't have another experienced setter, and she is pretty good. So I kind of made her play. I was like, "Pleeasssee, pleeasssee."

Jordan: We were at the dinner table just talking about the team and she said, "We really could use you," and I eventually said OK. I'm glad I came back because once I did I was like, "Gosh I would have missed it so much."

You guys both play other sports, with Melissa playing softball and Jordan playing soccer. Is there anything comparable between your other sport and the game of volleyball?

Melissa: The way you hit the ball in volleyball and the way you throw a softball uses the same muscles. Both are also pretty much explosive sports, where the running is done in short, quick bursts, like the way you run after a ball in the outfield or how you go home to first in softball. In volleyball, you move pretty fast. The sprints aren't as long distance, but they're pretty intense. Each one keeps me in shape for the other.

Jordan: Not really as much for soccer. I mean somewhat in the way a center midfielder or an outside midfielder makes a quick sprint out to the sidelines. (Starts to laugh) But really, I don't think they are comparable at all. Volleyball is just fun. I love soccer.

You guys lost a lot of starters from last season. What have been your impressions of the team so far this year?

Melissa: We have a lot of new players in a lot of new roles. We only have six players returning from last year and only three returners who were starters last year. So we've got to learn very quickly, but so far we have been, and the progression has been impressive.

Jordan: We knew coming into tryouts that it would be different, that we had lost a lot of key players from the start. So we kept an open mind during practice, but honestly it has been even better than I expected. We have a lot of big players and I think if we can just give constructive criticism, we can do some good things.

What should we expect from the Menchville High volleyball team this season?

Melissa: I definitely hope we take districts again, and I definitely think we can if we go out and play well. Once we get to regionals, I should hope we would win the first match and then build from there.

Jordan: Oh we definitely want to win districts — that is a must. We want to get to regionals again. We are a very young team, but I think we can do it if we keep it up.

How would you describe your sister's game?

Melissa: She definitely plays good volleyball. It's different than what you see on a club team, but it works well on our team. She's a good leader as well. When I get frustrated with myself, she helps calm me down.

Jordan: She plays year-round competitive volleyball, so she is good. You can see she loves the game and puts it all out there on the court. If someone messes up, she will be the first one to pick them up and she will give them confidence and constructive criticism, helping them to improve their game.

You guys often get paired together a lot because you are twins, but how are you different personalitywise?

Melissa: She's more laid back than I am. I mean, I'm kind of laid back too, unless it's about sports. She is really outgoing. But, I don't know, I think we are pretty much opposite in every way.

Jordan: I don't think I let things get to me as much. She takes things more seriously, more personally. She is more intense, more sensitive. Not in a bad way — it's just I'm more upbeat.

What is the one thing the other does to annoy you?

Melissa: When I'm mad, she'll tell me I have my panties in a bundle. It makes me laugh and loosen up.

Jordan: I'm not a person who likes to be late to things, like if I'm on time I think I'm late, and if I'm early then I'm on time. So she'll take her time when we have to go like getting to the car, and it's not once or twice. It's an everyday thing.

You guys both work at Water Country USA. What has that been like for the two of you?

Melissa: My brother worked there a couple of years before we started, so that's how we ended up there. I like it. Some days it can be boring, but it's not a bad job to have. You get to be out in the sun all day.

Jordan: It has its days going for it, and you do get to meet a lot of interesting people, a lot of international people. I knew a couple of people there before I started working, but most of the new people I've met there are cool. They go out together a lot, so that's been good. It is easy to meet people there.

If you had the weekend off with no volleyball, what would you do?

Melissa: I would be hanging out with my friends and enjoying a little time off from sports. I love sports, and I've played them the entirety of my life, but it's nice to have a day off once in a while to relax.

Jordan: If it was warm, I would definitely go to the beach with friends. I like to run also, so I'd probably go for a morning run, then head to the beach.

You guys are both seniors and thinking about college. What do you think you'll be doing next year as of right now?

Melissa: Well I've been in love with Auburn University since I was 5 years old. I want to play volleyball there. My dad went there and told me about the tradition and the environment, and it is a great culture. It's what I've always dreamed of doing. If that doesn't work out, however, I've gotten interest in both sports from several other colleges, so I'll be looking into those as well.

Jordan: I want to play soccer in college and right now, coaches are coming to showcase tournaments. I've wanted to play at CNU my whole life and I've wanted to teach, so the education program at a school is a big deal. Besides CNU, Meredith, Shenandoah and Mary Washington are on my list. It's not time to narrow it down yet, but it's coming.